As thousands gathered to celebrate 200 years of the modern railway, RAIL’s Features Editor ANDY COMFORT looks at how Locomotion No. 1 once again drew in the crowds

The urge to create model trains can be traced back to the genesis of the real railway. George Dent examines how what was once a pastime of the affluent few became a mass-market hobby that endures to this day.

PART ONE

The railway has been shaped by its people -from the early pioneers, through waves of immigration and women in wartime, to today’s diverse leaders. TONY STREETER reports

Ninety years ago, the one-off LMS No. 6170 British Legion was officially named at Euston. Now, one of its nameplates has gone on public display at Ingrow on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The ‘plate is part of an incredible and historic collection of locomotive memorabilia, the legacy of one man: Roger Bell.

Being too young to go to Shildon in 1975, my railway hobby started with the Liverpool and Manchester Rocket 150 celebrations in May 1980. I have lasting memories of visiting Rainhill for the cavalcade